Warm weather usually means more activity for just about everybody. Especially for seniors, warm weather means more opportunities to stay active. From taking long lovely walks in the park to soaking up the sun with the grandkids, outdoor activities abound. However, once winter arrives and cold weather takes over, it can be more challenging to stay active. As a result, many people in senior communities in NJ end up spending all the winter months indoors. The truth is, though, that there are plenty of indoor winter activities that can add to your active lifestyle.
While waiting for summer to return, people living in senior communities in NJ should try these indoor activities for a fun, active winter!
Why Staying Active in Senior Communities Matters
Before we explain some great indoor activities for senior communities, we should explain why it matters so much. Simply put, staying active has a wide variety of health benefits for seniors. As the weather gets colder, most people fall into an easy routine of staying indoors. This is problematic because there aren’t as many options for staying active and staying healthy when you’re stuck inside. Remember to get your exercise in because you’ll reap the following rewards.
- Boost your overall health and wellness
- Have opportunities for social engagement
- Improve your strength and stamina
- Reduce any anxiety or isolation that results from staying indoors
- Decrease your risk for falls
- Improve cognitive function
- Prevent common diseases like heart disease and diabetes
Top 4 Winter Activities for Seniors
The following winter activities are great for people living in senior communities in New Jersey. When the snow has piled up outside, try a few of these activities with your family, friends, and neighbors.
#1: Go to the Gym
First and foremost, try going to the gym. Many senior communities in New Jersey have a fitness center or are located near a gym for their residents. Working a gym session into your daily or weekly routine is crucial for maintaining your health and wellness. You’ll be able to use a variety of equipment, which guarantees an activity that works for you. It is recommended that you speak to your doctor before trying a new gym routine. He or she will be able to make suggestions as to the activities that work best for you.
#2: Swim in an Indoor Pool
Whether it’s provided by a senior living community or a family member, an indoor pool can be a great source of exercise. In fact, swimming is one of the best winter exercises for people over 55 years of age. Because it is a low-impact exercise, swimming is great for muscles and joints, and allows for prolonged activity so you can see more benefits. Even those senior citizens with limited flexibility find swimming to be a great option. For example, those suffering from arthritis can actually see some improvement when working this exercise into their routine.
In short, being in the water can help you gain strength, balance, flexibility and may improve your cholesterol level.
#3: Dance the Cold Away
Silly as it might sound, dancing is actually one of the most common exercises for seniors! With your favorite music and an open dance floor, dancing is a great option for staying active. And there are so many options! You can attend an organized class, put a little party together with your friends, or simply dance around your living room. It also has the added bonus of social engagement, building friendships, and it’s just plain old fun! Research has shown that it can improve muscle function, strength, and balance in men and women over 55 years of age.
A quick tip? You should stretch a little before your next dancing session to prevent pulled muscles and lower your risk of injury.
#4: Try Group Exercise Classes
The main source of winter activities for senior communities in NJ is a wealth of group exercise classes. Many community centers, senior living communities, and local gyms offer fitness classes for seniors. Some fun and popular options include yoga, Zumba, tai chi and aerobics. At these classes, you’ll also get more opportunities to meet new friends! Getting started with group classes is easy. Call your local fitness center, gym, or senior living community and ask about their senior classes.
Barnegat 67 & Health Living for Seniors in NJ
Winter months are a big hurdle to jump when it comes to staying active as a senior citizen. As you prioritize maintaining your health and wellness, some of the suggestions above can guarantee that you stay active and healthy. Until summer returns and outdoor activities are available, try these activities. The people living at Barnegat 67 or other senior communities in NJ are sure to appreciate these suggestions.